Moyes plays down Merseyside supremacy

Everton boss David Moyes believes his side are still underdogs for tomorrow's Merseyside derby clash - despite being nine points ahead of Liverpool.

Moyes has not won any of the four derby battles since he took over in March 2002, and Everton have not beaten Liverpool at Goodison Park since 1997.

But the confidence of being nine points clear of their rivals - their biggest margin in 17 years - and being third in the Barclays Premiership makes them the form team for the 200th Merseyside derby.

The fiery Scot insists his side are still underdogs - but he takes pride in underlining the success Everton have achieved on a shoestring budget this season.

Moyes, who expects to have Duncan Ferguson available after a knee injury, expects a tighter match between the two sides.

'Always the underdogs'

Moyes said: "I don't think the attitude that we are always the underdogs in these derbies has changed.

"But what we have got now is the fact that we are playing at a level much closer to the likes of Liverpool now and our performances have shown that.

"Liverpool have got some terrific players, they have spent big, big money re-constructing a team over the last few years and we haven't. In a lot of ways it is not a level playing field but for this one at Goodison we feel we can get a good result from it.

"I don't like using money as a reason for success or not having success, I am loathed to do that because they are other things.

"But that part of it cannot be withdrawn from this equation, Everton are doing brilliantly well just now with very little resources. It happens and we are really pleased."

Moyes is quick to point to Everton's fine start to the season puts them on course for the 60-point mark that usually achieves European qualification.

Everton did not even reach 40 points last season but they could top that by the turn of the year if their form continues.

Moyes added: "Having 33 points on the board at this time of the season gives us more pleasure than anything and we aim to get a few from the Liverpool game.

"It's easy to say that 60 points gets you into Europe, and it does not look too far away. But talking abut achieving those results and doing it is something different.

"Experienced managers say 'wait until the end of February and then we will see who can handle it.'

I just hope I am in that position to find out.

"We are just happy we have 33 points from 16 games and I would rather have that than any one derby victory.

"We are more concerned with getting to 36, it doesn't matter who we are playing. We can also get to our last season's final points tally before the turn of the year and that would be something really pleasing."

Second place in sight

If Everton win they will be 12 points ahead of Liverpool and move to second place as Arsenal are playing on Sunday. Moyes believes his tight-knit group of players are a match for the top clubs.

He added: "We have had hard games against Newcastle and Bolton recently and remained undefeated. If you take out Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United these sort of teams - including Liverpool - are the next group down the scale so we know we can handle such matches.

"All I can say is that we will do our best, as well as we have done all season, and our fans can't ask for any more than that.

"I know that we have done better away from home in derbies under me, but everyone knows that there will be a Goodison victory one day and I hope it is this one.

"The team is doing well, flying high and there is plenty of confidence around, but I am more concerned about progressing in the league than

beating our neighbours.

"We are in good form going into this one and Liverpool have picked up so it is going to be a very tight, difficult match."